Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
“Prepare to see Star Wars like you’ve never seen it before”
My husband, Russ, saw this one on Friday while I was at a bookclub meeting, so he’s written this review for me… hence the different format and writing style. Thanks Honey!
Plot summary:
Star Wars: The Clone Wars takes place between the two most recent Star Wars films (Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith). With the war raging between Count Dooku and his Separatist droid army and the Clone army of the Galactic Republic, Anakin Skywalker has been dispatched by the Jedi Council to locate and rescue Jabba the Hut’s son who has been kidnapped by renegades. Since the Hutt’s control a prime area of space trade routes, whoever has Jabba’s favor will have use of these routes and thus gain a significant advantage over their opponent. However, the plot thickens as we learn there are more sinister forces are at work.
Review:
This film has some of the best animation I have seen. If you liked the Clone/Droid battle sequences from the last three films, this movie will not disappoint.
While the film is definitely geared toward a younger audience, this isn’t “A Land Before Time” or “A Bug’s Life”. The Clone Wars introduces the audience to Ahsoko Tano who is Anakin’s new Padawan learner (basically, an apprentice). She is somewhat of know-it-all teenager, thus the connection to the younger audience. – There is also some well placed humor in this movie.
Another reason to see this film is that Anakin Skywalker is not portrayed as the excessively whiny and angry Jedi he was in the last three films, but rather a more focused and masculine character. There is also a new villain as well, Asajj Ventress who is like Darth Maul’s sister from “Episode I” but actually talks.
Also, if you’re like me, when you see an animated film you’re always wondering whose voice it is you’re hearing. While Christopher Lee (Count Dooku), Anthony Daniels (C3PO), and Sam Jackson (Mace Windu) all reprise their roles, most of the voices you’ll hear are not the actors/actresses from the last three films. However you probably won’t notice since they come from people that do the voiceovers from the Star Wars video games.
Be wary of Star Wars “purists” that will not be satisfied with anything until George Lucas brings back the original crew of Han, Luke, Leia, and Chewy. This movie is an enjoyable action packed adventure for small and big kids alike.
This is the first animated feature film from Lucasfilm animation.
Add’l Info: Release Date: Aug 15, 2008 • Runtime: 98 minutes • Rated PG for sci-fi action violence throughout, brief language and momentary smoking • Photo credit: Copyright © Warner Bros. Pictures via allmoviephoto.com
